Fruit growers forced to pump away water

Fruit growers across South Australia's Riverland region have been kept busy since last week's torrential rains, pumping water out of their blocks.

Scott Petersen from Cooltong says a large area of his block is under water and he has been pumping it into into nearby drains.

He says while the excess water probably would not have damaged his vines, it made access impossible for spraying against downy mildew.

"Probably not going to do too much damage ... but it's just a matter of of being able to get back into them this year with being a high pressure year with disease and need to get in there with the tractor and spray plants to get another cover for the next weather event," he said.

"Oh it's not ideally what I would have liked to be doing this weekend but when this situation arises you just get in and clear it out as best as you can."